Shopping cart engageable tote bag

ABSTRACT

A reusable shopping bag, wherein environmentally beneficial avoidance of disposable shopping receptacles is enabled, wherein temporary securing to essentially any type of shopping cart is facilitated by the specially configured hangers defined coincident with a pair of engageable jaws, in order to effectively line the cargo compartment of a cart in order to prevent the passage of small articles therethrough, and wherein the jaws provide structural reinforcement and a general locking of the bag opening edge, requiring a multi-directional application of force in order for unlock and full access to bag contents.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to shopping totes, and more specifically to a tote bag with a multi-functional jaw that facilitates engagement with essentially any shopping cart, that provides supportive shape definition for the bag, and that enables interlocking closure to prohibit accidental loss of bag contents during transport.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Millions of shopping carts are utilized each day by consumers in retail establishments. While many of these carts are similarly manufactured and configured, several general types exist: traditional-style, deep-compartment metal; traditional-style, deep-compartment plastic; and modern-style, shallow-compartment metal. Each style generally includes a push handle, an area for child seating, and a cargo compartment.

Many new entrants have been introduced wherein the child seating area is generally removed from the cargo compartment and is highly stylized, such as in the form of a truck cab, in order to render the shopping experience more enjoyable for the child. Further shopping cart styles include those for handicap assistance, such as rechargeable scooters. These carts position the cargo compartment in front of the handlebar and seat area, and typically form the cargo compartment according to traditional shopping-cart fabrication with steel or plastic.

Irrespective of the overall cart style, however, and of the well-appreciated advantages of such a wheeled shopping assistant, the grid-like construction of the walls and floor of a shopping cart's cargo compartment remain essentially standard, whether metal or plastic, wherein each disadvantageously allows unintended passage of small items and goods therethrough. This can result in a lost purchase for the retailer, as well as a lost item desired by the consumer, wherein such loss frequently remains undiscovered until after departure from the store.

Occasionally, a retailer may provide disposable receptacles, such as plastic or paper bags, or reusable baskets and/or portable bins for retaining small articles within a shopping cart. These can be effective in preventing accidental loss of small goods; however, especially in the case of baskets and/or portable bins, the benefit ceases upon arrival at the checkout, wherein the baskets or bins must be surrendered prior to departure from the store. And, relying on small disposable plastic or paper bags is not necessarily economically pleasant for the retailer, nor friendly for an improved environment.

A trend toward reusable shopping bags has been gaining momentum as a result of the foregoing disadvantages, wherein consumers purchase select store bags during a first shopping venture, subsequently returning to shop with the purchased bag(s). Some such bags are equipped with handles that allow for hanged suspension about the support arms of a basketless shopping cart frame, wherein the reusable bag functions as the cart cargo compartment for retaining articles therein. Others are equipped with hook and loop fastener in order to allow for some measure of closure of the opening. However, each is disadvantageous in view of the present invention.

Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need for a reusable shopping bag that enables environmentally beneficial avoidance of disposable shopping receptacles, that is capable of temporarily securing to essentially any type of shopping cart, effectively lining same and preventing the passage of small articles therethrough, and that facilitates secure upper-edge closure to inhibit unauthorized opening by straight pulling force, but instead requires a multi-directional application of force in order for release of closure mechanism for access to contents, thereby avoiding the above-referenced disadvantages associated with conventional shopping cart and bag configurations.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages, and meets the recognized need for such an invention by providing a tote bag with a multi-functional jaw that facilitates engagement with essentially any shopping cart, that provides supportive shape definition for the bag, and that enables interlocking closure to prevent accidental loss of bag contents during transport.

According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present invention in its preferred form is a reusable shopping bag, wherein environmentally-beneficial avoidance of disposable shopping receptacles is enabled, wherein temporary securing to essentially any type of shopping cart is facilitated by the specially configured hangers defined coincident with a pair of engageable jaws, in order to effectively line at least a portion of the cargo compartment of a cart in order to prevent the passage of small articles therethrough, and wherein the jaws provide structural reinforcement and a general locking of the perimeter of the bag opening, requiring a multi-directional application of force in order for release of the locked perimeter and full access to bag contents.

More specifically, the present invention is a shopping-cart engageable tote bag comprising substantially rigid jaw members formed or otherwise disposed along a reinforcing member extending generally along the upper edge of a perimeter of the bag opening, wherein elasticized expansion regions are defined between the reinforcing jaw members in order to facilitate full, open mouth access into the interior space of the tote bag, and full extension across the width of a shopping-cart cargo compartment. Flexible tote-style handles are further included in order to provide for increased options for supportive transport.

Preferably, the reinforcing jaw members extend in elongate fashion along opposing sides of the tote bag, proximate the peripheral lip of the mouth of the bag, thereby providing structural definition and support to the opening. The reinforcing jaw members further include a pair of opposingly-disposed, selectively-interlocking handles, preferably centrally formed therewithin, wherein the interior configuration of the handles is adapted to perform the interlocking jaw mechanism for selectively opening and closing the bag. Preferably, the interior configuration of the handles that provides for the interlocking jaw mechanism results from a cooperative-engagement relationship between the handles, wherein one handle defines a receiving aperture and the other handle defines an arcuately configured male locking member. The cooperatively-engaged handles are engaged via rotation and clearance of the male locking member through the receiving aperture, and subsequent slide-lock interaction, such that the handles effectively interlock, and require slidable rotation in order to be disassociated.

The exterior configuration of the handles is adapted for gripping during locking/unlocking, and for carrying, as desired, wherein opposingly positioned grip wells extend downwardly, away from the bag opening, such that the fingers of a user may comfortably fit between the grip well and the outer surface of the tote bag. The profile of the handles is further adapted for engagement with the upper edge of a shopping-cart cargo compartment, wherein a step-like profile facilitates accommodation and secure engagement of both metal and plastic cart rails therein.

The tote bag is thus preferably configured such that the expansion of the elasticized regions via application of pulling forces to the handles, at least in an unlocked configuration, and thus to the reinforcing jaw members, enables the formation of an open basket liner, wherein the secure, yet removable, fastening of the handle profiles to opposing edges of a shopping-cart cargo compartment secure the liner in a position for filling. Upon completion of shopping selections, the handles may be quickly and easily removed from the shopping-cart cargo compartment, the elasticized regions may be allowed to retract, and wherein the reinforcing jaws may be interlocked for generally secure transport of the articles retained therein.

Accordingly, a feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide a tote bag with interlocking handles.

Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide a tote bag adaptable for use as a shopping-cart liner for both metal and plastic shopping carts.

Still another feature and advantage of the present invention its ability to provide a utility bag comprising a first pair of handles that enables interlocking closure of the bag opening, and a second pair of handles that enables shoulder or hand carriage or support of the bag.

Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide a tote bag comprising a first pair of flexible handles and a second pair of rigid handles.

Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to expand to essentially line at least a portion of the interior compartment of a shopping cart cargo area, while retaining its ability to retract to a traditionally configured tote bag for transport.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to one ordinarily skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred and selected embodiments and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description of the Preferred and Alternate Embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tote bag according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown open;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a tote bag according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown closed;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a handle element of the tote bag illustrated in FIG. 2, showing an exemplary plastic shopping-cart rail engaged therein;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another handle element of the tote bag illustrated in FIG. 2, showing an exemplary metal shopping-cart rail engaged therein;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the handles of the tote bag illustrated in FIG. 2, showing the handles in a locked configuration;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a tote bag according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown being carried by a user;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a tote bag according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown being installed on a shopping-cart cargo area;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a tote bag according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a partial cut-away view of the tote bag of FIG. 8, showing the alternate drawstring configuration thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND SELECTED ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In describing the preferred and selected alternate embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-9, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions.

Referring generally now to FIGS. 1-5, the present invention in its preferred embodiment is a shopping cart engageable tote bag 10, comprising outer body 20, straps 60 and multi-functional jaw 80. Generally, outer body 20 may be formed to provide bag 10 with a substantially rectangular three-dimensional configuration, characterized by soft, flexible sidewalls 22, 24, 26, 28, open mouth 30, and preferably soft, flexible closed bottom or underside 32. As such, a variety of materials, fabrics, and/or other substrates may be utilized to form outer body 20, such as, without limitation, nylon, canvas, polyester, plastic, vinyl, leather, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyolefin, and/or combinations of these materials or any other materials with suitable lightweight, flexibility, and/or durability.

Opposingly-positioned sidewalls 22 and 26 are preferably elasticized at least proximate open mouth 30, wherein expansion of each sidewall 22 and 26 facilitates the definition of elongate portions of the preferred rectangular configuration of bag 10. As such, fully enlarged definition of open mouth 30 enables easy placement of and access to articles within bag 10, such as during use as a shopping cart liner, as more fully described hereinbelow. It should be understood that sidewalls 22 and 26 could also or alternately include pleats and/or a drawstring 203 (as seen in FIGS. 8-9), or the like, wherein other means of facilitated expandability are intended, in addition to, or in lieu of elastic.

In the configuration of FIG. 1, multi-functional jaw 80 may define the shape of at least a portion of the upper edge of each opposing sidewall 24 and 28, preferably disposed proximate open mouth 30. As depicted, and according to the preferred configuration, multi-functional jaw 80 may be secured to bag 10 via respective retention loops 34 a,b and 36 a,b. As such, depending upon the selected fabric(s), material(s) or substrate(s) used, outer body 20 may be stitched, riveted, integrally formed with, welded, adhered or otherwise fastened or secured to retention loops 34 a,b and 36 a,b.

Handles may be secured to and extend from sidewalls 24, 28 of bag 10, such as proximate respective peripheral lips 23, 27, respectively, preferably, comprising a pair of flexible, tote-style straps 60. Preferably, handles 62, 64 are formed from a pliable, high-load capacity, durable fabric, such as, for exemplary purposes only, polypropylene, nylon, fabric-covered mesh, or the like; however, substantially rigid substrates may alternatively be utilized to form handles 62, 64. Handles 62, 64 further preferably comprise grip zone 66, centrally defined in each handle 62, 64, and may be formed via folded and sewn engagement of a central length portion of each respective handle 62, 64, to facilitate secure grasping, handling, carriage, or support of bag 10. It is understood that handles 62, 64 may be formed with alternately-configured grip zones 66, such as via inclusion of a grip-enhancing coating, a rigid or semi-rigid structural component, or, alternately, handles 62, 64 may be devoid of defined grip zone 66. Preferably, respective terminal ends 62 a-62 b, 64 a-64 b of handles 62, 64 are stitched, riveted, welded, adhered, or otherwise secured to respective sidewalls 24, 28, and/or respective peripheral lips 23, 27, of bag 10. Handles 62, 64 are preferably utilized for convenient tote-style carriage of bag 10.

Handles 82, 84 are preferably disposed proximate to sidewalls 22, 26, respectively, wherein handles 82, 84 may each preferably be centrally defined, and integrally formed with, an elongated reinforcing member 86. Such a configuration facilitates operable installation of multi-function jaw 80 with bag 10 via retention loops 34 a,b and 36 a,b, wherein elongated reinforcing members 86 serve to structurally define the shape of two opposing edges of open mouth 30, preferably between two elasticized, and otherwise conformable and generally unstructured edges thereof. Preferably, multi-functional jaw 80, and thus handles 82, 84, are formed from a substantially rigid substrate, such as, for exemplary purposes only, plastic, rubber, wood, metal, or the like, and/or combinations thereof.

Handles 82, 84 preferably comprise grip wells 88, 90, respectively, for facilitating secure grasping, handling, carriage, or support thereof, for carrying of bag 10, wherein opposingly-positioned grip wells 88, 90 define concave areas opening downwardly, i.e. away from the mouth 30 of bag 10, such that fingers of a user may comfortably fit between the grip well 88, 90 and outer surface 21 of the tote bag. Handles 82, 84 further facilitate gripping during locking/unlocking of bag 10, as discussed further hereinbelow.

Thus, as a part of multi-functional jaw 80, handles 82, 84 also preferably function as cooperative members, adapted for selectively-interlockable engagement. Referring to FIGS. 3-5, male jaw member 92 is preferably defined coincident with handle 82, and female jaw member 94 is preferably defined coincident with handle 84. Female jaw member 94 preferably has receiving aperture 96 defined therein, and male jaw member 92 preferably has arcuately configured male locking member 98, wherein male locking member 98 and female receiving aperture 96 are cooperatively-engageable via insertion, rotation and clearance of male locking member 98 into female receiving aperture 96. Preferably, the structural relationship of male locking member 98 and female receiving aperture 96 is such that, following rotational engagement, as described, subsequent slide-lock interaction of male locking member 98 with female receiving aperture 96 effectively locks jaw 80, such that male jaw member 92 and female jaw member 94 may not be separated by pulling forces. That is, in order to unlock jaw 80, purposeful application of upward force on handle 82, coincident with purposeful application of downward force on handle 84 (both directional movements gauged relative to the upright positioning of bag 10) to induce relative sliding movement, is required.

Yet another advantageous feature of multi-functional jaw 80 is the preferred profile of handles 82, 84, adapted for engagement with a shopping-cart cargo compartment, effectively facilitating use of handles 82, 84 as hangers to support/suspend bag 10 within a shopping-cart cargo compartment, as desired. Referring to FIGS. 3-5, a step-like profile is preferably defined within handles 82, 84, preferably proximate and between male locking member 98 and female locking member 96, and their respective grip wells 88 and 90, wherein first engageable region 100 is preferably a generally rectangular shaped profile of a first peripheral dimension, and wherein second engageable region 102 is preferably a generally rectangular shaped profile of a second peripheral dimension that is greater than the first peripheral dimension. This preferred profile is configured to facilitate accommodation of a small shopping cart rail, such as metal cart M, within first engageable region 100 (depicted in FIG. 4), or alternately, accommodation of a large shopping cart rail, such as plastic cart P, within second engageable region 102 (depicted in FIG. 2). Further, the preferred profile may be tapered, wherein a “pinch-like” or grasping effect may be realized to enhance installation.

As is represented in FIG. 7, bag 10 is thus preferably configured such that expansion of sidewalls 22 and 26, such as via application of separating forces to unlocked handles 82, 84, enables the formation of an open basket-liner, wherein the secure, yet removable, engagement of either first engageable region 100 or second engageable region 102 to opposing edges of a shopping cart cargo compartment, attach bag 10 in position as a cart liner for filling. Upon completion of shopping selections, handles 82, 84 may quickly and easily be removed from the cart cargo compartment via upward lifting forces, whereafter multi-functional jaw 80 may be lockingly self-engaged for generally secure transport of the articles, either by hand support and carriage via jaw 80, or by hand or shoulder support and carriage via straps 60.

It should be recognized that bag 10, as preferably configured, and as depicted, further comprises two zones particularly suited for logo, design, or image display, wherein first display zone 150 may be defined on outer surface 21 of sidewalls 24, 28 of bag 10, and wherein second display zone 152 may be preferably defined on outer surface 154 of handles 82, 84.

It is contemplated in that an alternate embodiment, bag 10 may comprise a contoured, padded, and/or slip-resistant detail or feature for strap 60 to further facilitate hands-free mobility of bag 10.

It is contemplated in another alternate embodiment that compartment bag 10 may comprise one or more interior or exterior pockets and/or compartments.

It is further contemplated in another alternate embodiment that bag 10 may be formed without straps 60.

It is further contemplated in another alternate embodiment that the three-dimensional configuration of fully-expanded bag 10 may be essentially any shape, including but not limited to, cylindrical, cubical, spheroidal, or any other shape, as desired. Additionally, flexible or resilient reinforcement wire or framing may be included to further reinforce bag 10.

It is still further contemplated in another alternate embodiment that sidewalls 22 and 26 may be formed without elastic features, wherein, for example, accordion-folds, snap folds, zippered expansion compartments, or the like could alternately be utilized.

It is further contemplated, in another alternate embodiment, that sidewalls 22 and 26 could be formed with expansible regions 200, such as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, wherein drawstring 203 could extend through tunnel 201 such that selective deployment of locking member 202 could limit or release the expanded length of each sidewall 22 and 26.

It is further contemplated in another alternate embodiment that handles 82, 84 could be separable from elongated reinforcing members 86, wherein any suitable attachment means could be incorporated therebetween, or wherein bag 10 could be formed without elongated reinforcing members 86, resulting in a structurally undefined mouth opening 30.

Having thus described the preferred and selected alternate embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims. 

1. A tote bag, comprising: a lockable jaw, wherein each member of said lockable jaw further comprises a shopping cart engagement port.
 2. The tote bag of claim 1, wherein each said shopping cart engagement port is adapted for engagement with a plurality of differently dimensioned shopping-cart components.
 3. The tote bag of claim 1, wherein said tote bag further comprises two elasticized side walls, wherein each said elasticized side wall is defined between said members of said lockable jaw.
 4. A reusable shopping bag, comprising: an expandable liner for a shopping cart; means for removably securing said liner to the rails of a shopping-cart cargo area, wherein said means for removably securing said liner can receive and engage a first shopping cart rail of a first dimension for a first use, and can receive and engage a second shopping cart rail of a second dimension for a second use; and means for carrying said bag.
 5. The reusable shopping bag of claim 4, wherein said means for removably securing said liner to the shopping cart is a multi-functional jaw that further enables interlocking closure of said bag.
 6. The reusable shopping bag of claim 4, wherein said reusable shopping bag further comprises a plurality of elongated support members for at least partial structural definition of a bag opening.
 7. The reusable shopping bag of claim 5, wherein said interlocking closure of said jaw requires rotational and slidable movement of two jaw members relative to each other.
 8. The reusable shopping bag of claim 4, wherein said means for carrying said bag comprises flexible, tote-style handles.
 9. The reusable shopping bag of claim 5, wherein a first jaw member of said jaw further comprises a receiving aperture and a second jaw member of said jaw further comprises a male locking member configured to cooperatively-engage with said receiving aperture.
 10. The reusable shopping bag of claim 5, wherein said multi-functional jaw further comprises a pair of opposing grip wells.
 11. The reusable shopping bag of claim 5, wherein said multi-functional jaw is configured with a step-like profile adapted for accommodation of the first dimension of shopping cart rail and also for accommodation of the second dimension of shopping cart rail.
 12. The reusable shopping bag of claim 4, wherein said expandable liner further comprises at least one wall having an elasticized portion.
 13. The reusable shopping bag of claim 4, wherein each said expandable liner further comprises at least one wall having a drawstring portion.
 14. The reusable shopping bag of claim 8, wherein said means for carrying further comprises a grip zone.
 15. The reusable shopping bag of claim 4, wherein said expandable liner further comprises at least one logo display zone defined on an exterior surface thereof.
 16. The reusable shopping bag of claim 5, wherein said multi-functional jaw further comprises at least one logo display zone defined on an external surface thereof.
 17. The reusable shopping bag of claim 4, wherein said expandable liner further comprises one or more interior compartments.
 18. The reusable shopping bag of claim 4, further comprising a reinforcing frame.
 19. A method of collecting and transporting articles utilizing a shopping cart, comprising the steps of: obtaining a tote bag, said tote bag further comprising two expandable sidewalls, two generally fixed-length sidewalls, a bottom, two flexible straps, and a dual-member interlocking handle with cart-receiving areas defined therein; expanding said two expandable sidewalls across the cargo area of the shopping cart; engaging said cart-receiving areas of each said member of said dual-member interlocking handle with rails of the shopping cart; collecting and transporting articles within said tote bag; disengaging said cart-receiving areas of each said member of said dual-member interlocking handle from the rails of the shopping cart; and removing said tote bag from the cargo area of the shopping cart for subsequent transport.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of: interlocking said members of said dual-member interlocking handle such that said fixed-length sidewalls are secured together. 